FIRE ON THE WARRIMOO.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10303, 10 March 1905, Page 3

FIRE ON THE WARRIMOO.

(Press Assn. — By Telegraph. — Copyright.) MELBOURNE, March 9

The Union steamer Waarihioo was found to be on fire at 10.30 last night, when eight miles off Cape Schank. The chief officer reported to the captain that smoke was issuing from the ventilators of No. 2 forehold. The crew were immediately called to quarters, and the boats were swung out and provisioned.

Adjacent to the fire was a large lot of keiwene, and there were also 500 cases of kerosene and napthiue stored oil deck. Immediately the outbreak was located water was liborally pumped on, anid the deck qargo was jettisoned. At the end of an hour, as the fire seemed to increase, the passengers were called, fiii&l from the steerage and then from the cabm, and were assembled aft. Not till then had they discovered anything wa.s wxocig. There wa.s not the slightest panic. The captain decided to return to Melbourne, as there was danger of the kerosene being ignited aivd exploding. He. .then sent up distress signals, which were aniswv'red by the pilot steamer. Just before the tugs which we.ye sent to the vessel's assistance reached her the fire was overcome, and their help declined. The vessel reached tlu.* wharf ■without further incident.

The tire originated amongst some bags of paper shavings which were packed close to some bags of cluiff. An examination, showed that many of the cases containing the kerosene were reduced to charcoal. The solder had melted, but none of the oil ignited. The fire brigade met the vessel. at the wharf, but were not required. The vessel had eight feet of water m the hold, Dut it is believed is uninjured. Alter a survey has been made the .steamer may resume her voyage , to-night. The density of the smoke prevented the chief officer's attempt to enter the hold, but when the crew got to work ■with the ship's fire apparatus they soon got. the fire under, the fire, brigades putting the finishing touches on at the wliajrf with chemical apparatus. The vessel proceeded up the a-iver, wheav the damaged cargo was unloaded. A survey is now proceeding. It is hoped to resume the voyage at midnight. The fire was confined to No. 2 hold forward, immediately beneath the hatches, where was stored general cargo and chaff, which was jettisoned, including 400 cases of benzine. The captain pays a high tribute to the splendid behavior of the crew and passengers. While discharging, the chief officer fell off a stage into the water, but was none the worse for his ducking.

(Received March 10. 9.50 a.m.) • MELBOURNE, March 10. A Marine Board examination of the s.s Wanimoo, after the cargo m the between dtecks had been discharged, revealed the fact that the vessel was practically uninjured!. Permission was given to resume the voyage without delay, and it was anticipated she wouldi be m readiness to sail at midnight last night. Canon. Shoebridge. of Tasmania, who was a passenger, invited all to assemble m the saloon, for a. -short service, during which he offered! prayer and thanks to the Almighty for the safety of the ship and hei' living freight. A collection was made by the passengers on behalf of the crevr.